Report: Google to launch business software hub

Google Inc. plans to launch a site to sell third-party business software that pairs with its online applications, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people briefed by the company.

The move adds partners and functionality to the Mountain View company’s suite of Web-based e-mail, spreadsheet and word-processing tools, as Google goes head-to-head with Microsoft Corp. in the business software space.

The software will add features like enhanced security and the ability to import contacts to Google Apps, the newspaper reported. The online giant is expected to announce the new version of its Marketing Solutions site as early as next month, the publication said.

Down the road, Google will let customers purchase third-party software on the site and split the revenue with its partners, the Journal said, citing its sources.

Business software is a strategic growth area for Google. Since it began selling enterprise business applications two-and-a-half years ago, more than 2 million organizations have signed up for Gmail and Google Docs.